Butter-cutter.



.' No. 833,572. PATENTED OCT. 16, 1906.

H. BARRY.

' BUTTER CUTTER. APPLICATION FILED TAN. 15, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

. awuantoz,

Q/WWW @5 2; 4 I

W734? F A No. 833,572. I PATENTED 001:. 16, 1906.

H. BARRY- I BUTTER CUTTER.

APRLIOATION'IILED JAN.15, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2-.

r: mmms PETERS (7a., WASHINGYIJN u c UNITED STATES HENRY BARRY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BUTTER-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1906.

Application filed January 15,1906. Serial No. 296.189.

To a. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BARRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Butter-Cutter, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in butter-cutters.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of butter-cutters, and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device adapted to be readily applied to a tub of butter and capable of successively cutting the same into layers of the desired thickness, and of dividing or cutting the layers into pounds or other desired quantities, and of extracting or removing the same from the tub in neat and attractive manner without wasting any of the butter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radially-arranged adjustable knife, adapted to be arranged in avertical position for moving it downward through the butter and capable of being set at an angle or inclination for severing and slightly raising, and thereby separating a layer from the rest of the mass.

Another object of the invention is to enable the radially-arranged knife to adjust itself automatically to the taper of a tub or other receptacle containing the butter.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arran ement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resortedto without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a butter-cutter constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the adjustable sleeve for partially rotating the radially-arranged knife. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the rod on which the radially-arranged knife is mounted. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views illustrating the manner of mounting the radially-arranged knife. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the hollow triangular cutter. Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating the construction for sup orting the butter-cutter. Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of the curved track.

1 designates a circular track constructed of suitable metal and provided at intervals with depending ears 2, having threaded openings for the reception of clam ing-screws 3, which are adapted to engage t e exterior of a tub 4 or other receptacle.

The device is designed particularly for handling butter; but it will be readily apparent that it may be advantageously employed for handling lard or other similar material.

The ears 2 depend from the inner edge of the circular track, which is disposed-horizontally and which receives a bracket 5. The bracket, which is in the form of a spider, is provided with a central bearii1g-opening 6, and it has radially-arranged arms 7, which are provided with adjustable outer sections or members 8. The outer sections or members 8, which have terminal hooks 9 at their outer ends for engaging the outer edge or periphery of the circular track, are provided at their inner portions with slots 10 to receive screws 11 of the inner sections or body portions of the arms 7. The screws 11 are preferably fixed to the inner sections or body portions of the arms 7, and the outer sections are secured in their adjustment by means of thumb-nuts 12, which are arranged on the screws and which engage the upper faces of the outer sections 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The bracket is adapted to rotate on the circular track, as hereinafter explained, and the hooks 9, which engage under the outer edge of the circular track, hold the device in position and prevent the bracket from being raised from the tub by the strain incident to cutting the butter.

The central bearing-opening of the bracket 5 receives a vertical tube 13, which is closed at its lower end and which is provided thereat with a tapered or conical projecting portion 14 to enable it to be readily inserted in the butter and partially embedded in the bottom of the tub, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The tube 13, which has its upper portion arranged in the central bearing-opening 6 of the bracket, is provided with a longitudinal slot 15, extending from the upper end of the tube to the lower closed end thereof and receiving an inner shank 16 of a radially-arranged knife 17, which has its blade located beyond the tube 13 and adaptslots 30.

ed to be arranged either in a vertical or inclined position for cutting its way downward through the butter and for severing a layer from the rest of the mass. The knife is supported at its inner end, and its outer end is free.

The shank of the knife is rounded and is provided with a reduced stem 18, having a threaded portion to receive a nut 19. The stem is slidable through a flange of a short transverse bearingtube 21 which is mounted in an opening of a bar 22. The rounded shank is adapted to slide in the tube, and it is maintained in an extended position by means of a coiled spring 23, disposed on a stem and interposed between the shank and the flange, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The nut is adapted to vary the tension of the spring and at the same time adjust the knife for limiting the outward movement thereof. The tube is also provided with a slot 24., extending inwardly from one end of the said tube and slidably receiving a lug or projection 25 of the shank, whereby the knifeis held against rotary movement in the tube 21.. The knife is yieldably maintained by the said spring in an extended position, and it is adapted to be forced inwardly as it moves downwardly within a tapering tub or receptacle, and the said knife is thereby adapted to adjust itself automatically to the tub, which gradually decreases in diameter from top to bottom.

The short tube 21, which is mounted for limited rotary movement in an opening 26 of the lower end of the bar or member 22, is provided with a centrally-arranged exterior annular groove 27, which is engaged by a screw 28, whereby the short tube 21 is retained in the opening 26. The screw 28, which is mounted in a threaded perforation of the lower end of the bar or member 22, extends into the groove 27 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The bar or member 22, which is round, is arranged within an operatingsleev e 29, which is capable of a limited rotary movement within the tube 13 and which is provided at intervals with curved The slots 30 are adapted to receive a screw 31, which also extends through an eye or ring 32 of a crank-handle 33. The eye or ring of the crank-handle 33 is arranged on the outer tube 13, and the screw extends through the longitudinal slot 15 and through one of the slots 30 and engages a depression or indentation 34 of the bar or member 22. The short curved slots 30 and the indentations 34 correspond and may be arranged at any desired interval for adjusting the radiallyarranged knife for cutting the butter of a tub into layers of the desired thickness. The crank-handle rests upon the bracket 5, and as it rigidly connects the bearing-tube, the adjusting-sleeve, and the knifesupporting bar ormember together it supports the knife at the desired elevation, and it is adapted to be rotated to carry the knife through the butter.

The adjusting-sleeve, which is capable of a.

limited rotary movement and which has such movement limited by the screw 3 1, is provided at its lower end with a recess 35,whichreceives an arm 36 of the short tube 21, which constitutes a tubular rock-shaft and which is adapted to be partially rotated by the adjustingsleeve to arrange the radial knife either in a vertical or inclined position. When the blade of the knife is arranged in a vertical plane, it is adapted to be readily moved downward through the butter, and after it has been arranged the desired distance from the top of the mass it is secured in its adjustment by means of the screw 31. The adjusting-sleeve is then operated to set the knife at an inclination for severing a layer of butter from the rest of the mass, and the knife is then rotated within the tub by means of a crank-handle, and owing to its inclination or angular disposition it not only operates to cut a layer from the rest of the mass, but serves to elevate and thereby separate the severed layer to facilitate the removal of portions of it, as hereinafter explained.

The recess 35 of the adjusting-sleeve is substantially sector-shaped and tapers clownwardly, being provided with oppositelyin clined side walls or edges, either of which is adapted to be carried in contact with the up wardly-projecting arm 36 of the short tube 21 whereby the tube may be partially rotated in either direction. The adjusting-sleeve is provided at its upper end with a milled flange 37 for enabling it to be readily adjusted.

The bracket 5 also has mounted on it a superimposed guide 38 for an operating-rod 39 of a butter cutter and extractor 40, which is adapted to cut a pound or other quantity of butter from a previously-severed layer and remove such quantities from the tub and then deposit the butter into a dish or other receptacle. The superimposed guide consists of a short tube extending upward from a horizontal bar 41, which is supported by a pair of posts 42, and the latter are adjustably mounted on two of the outer sections or members of the arms of the bracket 5. The posts are secured to the outer sections or members of the arms by means of suitable fastening devices, and they are thereby adapted to be adjusted to position the cutter 40 properly with relation to the sides of the tub. This adjustment enables the butter to be properly cut and removed from the tub without waste.

The rod 39, which slides through the guide 38, is provided at its upper end with a suitable handle or grip, and its lower end is secured to the cutter 40, which consists of a horizontal top plate or portion and vertical walls. The vertical walls are provided with IIO cutting edges, and the cutter is adapted to be readily forced downward into the butter and when withdrawn it will lift its contents from the rest of the mass.

Within the hollow open-bottom cutter is arranged a spring-supportedfollower 43, consisting of a plate and a pair of vertical guiderods 44, which extend through openings of the top of the cutter 40- and which are located in the same vertical plane as the bar 41, whereby when the operating-rod 3-9 is drawn upward the upper ends'of the guide-rods 40 will be carried into contact with the lower face of the horizontal bar or member 41. Ihe upper ends of the guide-rods 44 are provided with suitable heads, and coiled springs are disposed .on the upper portions of the guide-rods and are interposed between the said heads and the top of the cutter, whereby the follower or butterejector is yieldabl'y supported within the cutter at the top thereof. The springs 48 are adapted to be compressed when the upper ends of the guiderods 44 are carried into contact with the hori zontal bar or member 41, as clearly shown in Fig. 8- of the drawings. This serves to dischar e the butter from the hollow cutter, whic may be constructed of any desired size to deliver the desired amount of butter at each operation of the device.

The cutteris supported in an elevated posie tion by a spring-actuated pin or bolt 49, which is adapted to engage a notch 50 of the operating-rod 39. The pin or bolt 49 operates in a horizontal bore or opening of the guide 38, and the spring 51 is disposed on the rod or pin and is housed within a suitable opening of the guide 38. By this construction the cutter may be supported in an elevated position clear of the contents of the tub while the radially-arranged plate is being rotated for severing a layer of butter. The rotary movement of the bracket 5 on the circular track will carry the cutter 40 around the tub, and it willbe apparent that the contents thereof may be quickly removed without the hands of the operator coming in contact with the same and that a predetermined amount of butter or other material may be taken from a receptacle and deposited in a dish. Also it will be clear that the material removed presents an attractive appearance and that all waste is avoided.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the class described provided with a radially-arranged knife, means for rotating the knife in a mass of material for severing the layer, and means for yieldably mounting the knife whereby the same will be adjustable automatically to fit the taper of a tub or other receptacle.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a radially-arranged longitudinally-reciprocatable blade, means for yield- I ably holding the blade in an extended position, and meansfor rotating the blade.

3. In a device of the: class described, the

. combination with a central support, of a radial'ly-arranged blade connected at its inner I end with the support, the outer end of the blade being free, means for rotating the blade within the mass of material, and means connected withthe inner end of the blade for changing the position of the cutting edge of the same.

4. In. a device of the class described, the combination of a rock-shaft having an arm, a blade carried by the rock-shaft, and an adjusting member having a limited rotary movement and provided with means for actuating the arm to set the blade either a vertical or inclined position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tubular rock-shaft, a blade slidable in the rock-shaft, means for yieldably holding the blade in an extended position, and an adjustable member having a limited rotary movement for partially rotating the rock-shaft.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical supporting mem ber, atubular'rock-shaft mounted on the supporting member and having a slot, a radiallyarranged blade slidable in the tubular roc shaft and havingmeans for engaging the slot, and a sleeve arrangedon thesup-porting member and having a limited rotary movement for adjusting the rock-shaft.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting member, a rockshaft mounted on the said member and provided with an arm, a blade carried by the rock-shaft, and a sleeve arranged on the said member and provided with a recess having opposite walls for engaging the arm of the rock-shaft.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of vertical tube havinga longitudinal slot, a supporting member located within the tube, a knife mounted on the supporting member and extending through the slot of the tube,.and a sleeve also located within the tube and provided with means adj usting the knife.

9. In a device of the class described,the combination of a vertical tube having a tapered lower end, a verticallyadjustable knife extending radially from the tube and adapted to be rotated in a mass of material for severing a layer, and means located within a tubefor adjusting the knife-to set the same either in a vertical or inclined position.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical tube having a tapered lower end, a vertically adjustable knife extending radially from the tube and adapted to be rotated in a mass of material forfsevering a layer, and means located within a tube for adjusting a knife to set the same either in a vertical or inclined position, and means for rotating the tube.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical rotary tube having a tapered lower end and provided with a longitudinal slot, a radial knife extending through the slot and adjustable vertically on the tube, and means located within the tube for supporting the knife at different elevations.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a bracket having a bearing, means for connecting the bracket with the top of a receptacle, a vertical rotary tube arranged in the bearing of the bracket and extending into the receptacle, a vertically-adjustable knife extending radially from the tube, means for rotating the tube, and means located within the tube for supporting the knife at different elevations.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vertical rotary tube having a slot, aknife extending from the tube and adjustable in the slot, a supporting member carrying the knife, a sleeve provided with slots and arranged on the supporting member, said sleeve being provided with means for partially rotating the knife, and means extending through a slot of the sleeve and engaging the supporting member for limiting the rotary movement thereof and for holding the same and the sleeve in their vertical adjustment.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a rotary tube having a slot, a knife extending through the slot, a supporting member carrying the knife, a sleeve ar ranged on the supporting member and provided with means for partially rotating the knife, said sleeve being also provided at intervals with slots, a handle arranged on the tube for rotating the same, and a fastening device carried by the handle and extending through one of the slots of the sleeve and engaging the supporting member.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a circular track provided with means for securing it to a receptacle, abracket supported by and capable of rotary movement on the track, a vertical tube supported by the bracket, a knife carried by the tube, and means for rotating the latter.

16. In a device of the class described, the

' combination of a circular track provided with means for engaging a receptacle, a bearingbracket provided with sectional arms having terminal hooks for engaging the track, a rotary member supported by the bearingbracket, and a blade carried by the rotary member.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cutter, a follower, operating mechanism connected with the cutter, and means located in the path of the follower whereby the latter is operated to expel the material from the cutter.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a cutter, a yieldably-supported follower operating,within the cutter,

and a guide for the cutter, said guide being v arranged in the path of and adapted to operate the follower for discharging the material from the cutter.

19. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a guide having-ahbrizontal bar or member, a cutter locatedbeneath the said bar or member and having an operating rod movable through the guide, a follower operating within the cutter and having projecting guide-rods arranged to be depressed by the horizontal bar or member of the said guide, and springs disposed on the guide-rods and yieldably supporting the follower.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a circular track, a rotary bearing-bracket arranged on the track, a rotary member supported by the bearing-bracket, a knife carried by the rotary member, a superimposed guide mounted on the bracket, a cutter having operating means slidable in the guide, and a follower carried by the cutter and arranged to be operated by the superimposed guide. 7

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a radially-arranged longitudinally-reciprocatable blade, means for yieldably holding the blade in an extended position, means for adjusting the blade in a vertical or inclined position, and means forrotating the blade;.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY BARRY.

Witnesses:

HARRY A. FLIoK, W. O. GLADDING. 

